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As a caretaker, you may be hired to perform a number of responsibilities. People often hire a caretaker to look after a child or an elderly loved one who needs help performing basic functions. A pet owner will commonly hire a caretaker to walk and feed his pet when he is unable to do so himself. A caretaker may also be hired to watch over a person's home when he is out of town.

Compassionate

A caregiver must be compassionate, especially if working with children, the elderly or animals. You should treat the person that you're caring for with kindness and respect at all times. You may be faced with some difficult, trying situations, and you need to be compassionate enough and patient enough to smile through it.

Dedication

It is important to be dedicated to your work since your employer relies on you to show up on time and perform your job functions as hired. You must honor all commitments that you make to your employer. If you don't, you could not only inconvenience your boss, but you might be putting someone's health or safety in jeopardy.

Trustworthy

You must show your employer that you're trustworthy. Always be open and honest, even if you think having a certain conversation will be uncomfortable. As a person who has a great deal of responsibility over someone that he cares deeply for, or access to his home and personal belongings, he needs to know that you are honest and ethical.

Willing to Learn

A caregiver is responsible for completing a number of different tasks. For some jobs, these duties will be essentially the same every day, but other positions may be more challenging and require good judgment. You need to show your employer that you are willing and able to learn any new tasks necessary to complete your job. When he asks you to perform an unfamiliar task, act enthusiastic, listen carefully and ask any questions that you have. This shows him that you can adapt to new situations and are eager to learn.

Flexibility

A caretaker often needs to have a flexible schedule and be willing to adapt to the employer's changing needs. Sometimes you may be needed for overtime work, often with little to no advance notice. Your employer relies on you to take care of a loved one or a property when he cannot, so you need to be willing to add some flexibility into your schedule to accommodate those needs.

About the Author

Laura Jerpi has been working in marketing since 2007. She is an interactive copywriter who writes for Thought Leadership Publications, Ai InSite and South Source. Jerpi holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Business Administration from Robert Morris University.